Category: International Sport
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Movement of Australian Olympic and Paralympic Athletes Between Nations : Historical Insights
By Greg Blood The movement of 2024 triple Olympic medallist Matthew Richardson to Great Britain has been scrutinised in the media and social media. Richardson’s move is relatively rare for an Australian high performing Olympic and Paralympic athlete. It is important to recognise Australian sport has greatly benefited from athletes from competitor nations transferring to…
australiansportreflections
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Characteristics of the 2024 Australian Olympic Team: age, gender, experience, longevity, location, education, indigenous, family and direct athlete support
By Greg Blood This article endeavours to provide insights into the 2024 Australian Olympic Team. Olympian characteristics provide insights into the Olympian “runway”, their likely period in competing at the highest level and their likely employment post their Olympic athletic career. With Brisbane being selected to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we frequently…
australiansportreflections
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Australian Prime Ministers and Sport Series – William McMahon
By Greg Blood SIR WILLIAM McMAHON GCMG CH PC – LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA 20th Prime Minister: 1971-1972 William ‘Billy’ McMahon was prime minister for just under 2 years and his government had to manage the controversial tour of the 1971 South African rugby union team. There was increasing opposition in Australia to the racially…
australiansportreflections
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Athlete Entry Fees And The Creation Of The Oceania Paralympic Committee – Two Different But Lasting Dividends Of The Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games
By Greg Hartung AO History of Australian Sports Policy Series: Part 27 The purpose of this chapter is to consider two issues which made an important imprint on the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games legacy. The first concerns the vexed question of entry fees applied to teams to enter the Games; the second relates to the…
australiansportreflections
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Importance of the Paralympic Games: Highlighting the Journeys of Athletes with a Disability
By Greg Blood During the next two weeks we will hear or read about the journeys of many Paralympic athletes. These journeys about striving for excellence in their sport and overcoming challenges along the way. I worked at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) for nearly thirty years and during this period, I realised that…
australiansportreflections
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Toyko Olympics: Medals, Personal Bests, Athlete & Team Journeys and Camaraderie
By Greg Blood Prior to the Tokyo Olympics, I detailed the support that the Australian Government through the AIS provided to the Australian Olympic and Paralympic teams. It is worthwhile examining the results and outcomes of Tokyo Olympics and how improvements can be made for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. I was so pleased the Olympics…
australiansportreflections
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Australian Sport in 2020 – ‘Unprecedented’ Year for Sport Administrators
by Greg Blood Australian sport administrators have been under enormous stress during 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other issues. It is worthwhile to briefly document the many challenges managed during this ‘unprecedented’ year’. Sports Rorts The year started with the Australian National Audit Office report into Sport Australia’s Community Sport Infrastructure Program that…
australiansportreflections
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Contribution of Australian sport administrators to international sport
By Greg Blood Australian sport administrators have filled significant positions in international sport. John Coates has often argued that Australian sport administrators need to hold significant Australian positions particularly President/Chair for several years before standing for positions on international sports federations. I recently researched Ray Godkin’s sport administration career for his Wikipedia article and it…
australiansportreflections